LIBERTY QUARRY: Fast tracking approved

Liberty Quarry, described as Riverside Countyâs most controversial land-use project ever, will be allowed to bypass public hearings and reviews by the county Planning Commission.

Riverside County supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday, Nov. 6, to approve a âfast-trackâ review process for the revamped gravel mine planned on 414 acres south of Temecula.

Supervisors John Benoit, Marion Ashley and John Tavaglione voted for fast tracking. Jeff Stone, who represents the area, and Bob Buster voted no.

The decision came after more than two hours of testimony, mostly by Temecula-area residents and civic leaders who said that the blasting, air pollution, truck traffic and destruction of land sacred to Pechanga Band of LuiseÃ±o Indians would be detrimental to health, quality of life and the business climate in Temecula and other southeast Riverside County communities.

Supporters said the mine sought by Granite Construction Co. would bring more than 75 full-time jobs while generating $10 million in spending on land, buildings and equipment and $25 million in annual taxable sales.

âWe are really pleased. This will bring more jobs and revenue, and thatâs what Riverside County needs,â said Karie Reuther, public relations manager for Granite Construction Co., shortly after the vote.

Many opponents said they were dismayed that the county would truncate public reviews through the expedited fast-track process. Sending the mining plan through the Planning Commission â" which last year rejected the previous version of the project on a 4-1 vote â" would bring more scrutiny and public hearings.

âThis is government at its worst,â Temecula Councilman Mike Naggar said as he walked out of the supervisorsâ hearing room in downtown Riverside. About an hour earlier, he had asked the board rhetorically: âWhat parallel universe am I in, that we would fast track a surface mine?â

The fast tracking was requested by Benoit, who represents the eastern desert region of the county. His request comes about a month after supervisors voted 3-2 to add surface mines, such as the quarry, to the list of developments eligible for fast tracking.

Benoit said an aggregate mine in southwest Riverside County would reduce the distance trucks have to travel to haul the material to construction sites. Aggregate is the crushed rocks used to make concrete.

As Benoit spoke, several mine opponents wearing orange T-shirts and hats walked out of the meeting. The quarry already had been the subject of 81 hours of public hearings, the supervisor noted.

Stone described the fast tracking as âcallous disregard for the people of southwest Riverside County for a few dollars.â

He pointed out that the mine is opposed by the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee; the Temecula Valley Unified School District; and the Pechanga tribe.

Buster said the disregard for local opposition creates distrust that could spill over into county authority over other projects

Tavaglione did not discuss his view before voting for fast tracking. In May, he voted against Graniteâs earlier, more ambitious plan.

Although the original quarry plan was rejected on a 3-2 vote in May, the supervisors at the same time certified an environmental impact report for the development. Over the summer, Granite Construction submitted what it described as a scaled-down plan and asked for fast-track consideration.

County spokesman Ray Smith said fast-track projects have to come back for a board vote within 90 days.

Stone said during Tuesdayâs meeting that changes to the Liberty Quarry plan will be the subject of an addendum to the original environmental impact report. The revised document will be released just before the supervisors meet to make a final decision, leaving little time for the public to examine it, he said.

Buster complimented the work of the county planning commissioners who rejected the quarry last year. âYou can see why Granite Construction doesnât want to submit to this Planning Commission,â he said.

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